Friendships, relationships and social isolation

Friendships and relationships can be enjoyable and rewarding.  They can also be difficult to understand and exhausting. Some people may also feel lonely/socially isolated.   

Friendships often rely on: 

• Understanding and using non-verbal communication such as eye contact, facial expression, gesture and changes in speech  

• Understanding your own and other people’s emotions 

• Small talk and chit-chat

• A shared way of communicating 

These are things that an autistic person may find difficult.  Because of this it can be hard for autistic people to understand social situations and the way other people behave.  Sometimes, a person may find themselves in a situation that feels unsafe information on staying safe in relationships can be found here.

However, autistic people can and do have successful friendships. 

Below is some information and personal experiences relating to friendships, social relationships, and social isolation.